CLARK – The establishment of a food hub inside the Clark Freeport would bolster the use of the aviation complex as a logistics and cargo hub that would complement airport operations.
Clark International Airport Corporation President Arrey Perez said that the planned project got a major boost following the approval on first reading of House Bill 10678 for the establishment of the Clark National Food Hub (CNFH).
At the News@Hues media forum of the Pampanga Press Club, Perez announced that the House of Representatives unanimously approved the measure on first reading that would also allocate P3 billion for the establishment of a flagship project being pushed by CIAC. It’s a shot in the arm for the agency which oversees the 1,608-hectare Clark Aviation Complex.
“This (bill) makes Clark as the hub for the national food aggregation and it appropriates funds for the project,” Perez announced.
Principal authors of HB 10768 include Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan De Oro), Maria Angela Garcia (Bataan), and Anna Victoria Tuazon (Leyte). Perez said that Pampanga 2nd District Rep Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo fully supports the food hub project.
The P8.5-billion 62-hectare CNFH is set on replicating state-of-the-art agro-logistics system of food hubs in advanced Asian countries, raise the standards of food safety and provide better opportunities for the local farmers, fisherfolk, and growers.
With CNFH nestled in the complex that also hosts the Clark International Airport, it would serve not just Central Luzon but also the other regions.
“We want to position Clark eventually as a food powerhouse in the Asia Pacific region,” Perez said.
CNFH is envisioned to be a center for wholesale food market and would host facilities for premium food production and preparation.
Recently, CIAC found key partners in Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Public-Private Partnership Center. The ADB would serve as technical and transactional adviser for the planned CNFH. The signed MOA will also pave the way for a feasibility study and the Terms of Reference for Public Bidding.
“Sa CIAC proud po kami na hindi lamang po ito basta pangarap lang,” he added.
Perez also announced that the Maharlika Investment Corporation has also committed to infuse funding anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of the project.
The Departments of Trade and Industry, as well as Agriculture, are also fully supporting the food hub project.
Early this year, the CIAC secured the nod from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for the project’s inclusion in the Public Investment Program for 2023 to 2028.
The CNFH is being patterned after the success of renowned food hubs like the Rungis İnternational Food Market in France.
(Via Pampanga Press Club)
